Kayakfest 2008

Friday, Oct 17:
Demo Fleet Sale Starts at Noon!

Every year, Geneva Kayak Center purchases the best equipment possible for it's use for classes, tours and expeditions. In order to keep our equipment fresh for future year's classes and trips we sell this equipment at huge discounts after only one or two seasons of use. Starting at noon on Friday, October 17th, we will be selling our 2008 fleet including fiberglass and poly kayaks from NDK, P &H, Impex, Valley and Wilderness Systems. Also for sale are paddles from Werner and Lendal, sprayskirts from Snapdragon, and other equipment such as pfd's, paddle floats, pumps, wetsuits and more. The demo sale will start at noon on Friday, October 17th and run through Sunday, October 19th. Boats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are looking for a specific model, it is recommended to come early as we will be handing out numbers

Saturday, October 18th
10:00 - Free Classes & Workshops

On Saturday, October 18th, we will be offering a day of free on and off water workshops by Geneva Kayak Staff. Chicago area's finest kayak instructors are volunteering their time to bring you FREE classes on a variety of subjects including "Comfort on Edge", "Improving Your Forward Stroke", Advanced Maneuvers" and more! These classes rival the courses you'll find at sea kayak symposium around the country and dont' cost you a thing!  Sessions include both on and off water classes and range from beginner to intermediate. While all classes are free, you must call or stop by the shop to sign-up as spaces are limited.

Course Descriptions (Listed Alphabetically)

Advanced Maneuvers (On-Water, Intermediate)
Picking Up Where "Edged Turns" leaves off, Advanced Maneuvers is a fun, intermediate, course which teaches more unorthodox

Comfort on Edge (On-Water: Beginner, Adv. Beginner)
Edging a sea kayak is the key to making your turns tighter, corrections easier, and improving stability, but not all paddlers feel comfortable on edge. Learn the keys to being relaxed on comfortable on edge and take your edging and paddling to the next level.

Edged Turns (On-Water: Adv. Beginner, Intermediate)
Learn the intermediate strokes that make kayaking more of a joy! We'll focus on the Low Brace Turn, Bow Rudder Turn and Stern Rudder Turn. This clinic is best for those who have feel comfortable being on edge or have taken the "Comfort on Edge Workshop".

Improving Your Boat Control (On-Water, Beg.-Int.)
Would you like to have more control of your boat in a variety of conditions? We'll focus combining the body, boat and blade in order to have more control on the water.

Improving Your Forward Stroke (On Water, Beg - Int)

The Forward Stroke is the one stroke you use more than any other!  Learn some tricks from experienced paddlers to go out paddling longer, faster, and with more efficiently

Precision Paddling (On-Water, Adv. Beginner - Intermediate)

Achieve better boat control, make turns tigher and make better adjustments in your kayak. 

Sculling and Support (On Water; Beginner-Intermediate)

Feel more confident as you take your stability in a kayak to a new level!

Stroke Analysis (On Water:  Beginner - Intermediate)

Get tips from the best instructors around on improving your strokes and boat control

Strokes/Strategies for Wind (On Water: Intermediate)

Controlling your boat in windy conditions is one of the harder things to do in a kayak. We'll talk about everything from proper loading of the kayak to stroke for maintaining your course, and turn up and down wind.

Weird Strokes (On Water, Advancing Beginner - Intermediate)

Some weird and fun strokes! 

How to Register for Courses

Registering for courses is easy! Please either call or stop by the shop and give us your name. Please be prepared to give us a second choice as clinics will fill quickly. There is no class size limit for Off-Water Clinics but On-Water clinics are limited to 10 participants.

Saturday, October 18th

5:00 - End of the Season Party & Barbecue

Come for our "End of the Paddling Season" Party and Barbecue! Starting at 5pm, we'll get off the water and enjoy some great food and and fun with other paddlers. The Barbecue is 20.00 per person and includes a vegetarian option.  This party is BYOB.

Saturday, October 18th

7:00 - Adventure Paddling Slideshow

Were you a part of an Adventure Paddling Trip during the 2008 Season? Or maybe you're interested in taking a trip in 2009? Or maybe you just like to see amazing photography of people paddling in fantastic places!?! Come check out the slideshow from this year's paddling adventures, starting a 7:30pm.

2009 Adventure Paddling

We'll be announcing our 2009 trip dates at the Kayakfest Barbecue on Saturday, October 18. If you were on a 2008, thinking about a trip in 2009, or just want to see some great photo and video from 2008's trips. Join us for the slideshow starting at 7:30pm. We'll be handing out discounts vouchers for all 2009 trips at the event!

Demo Kayak/Gear Sale

Impex & SKUK Fiberglass

New 2999.00-3300.00

Kayakfest Price - $1899-2399

Valley and P&H Poly Sea Kayaks

New 1659.00-1800.00

Kayakfest Price - 899.00-1099.00

Wilderness Systems Lt. Touring
New - 1100.00-1500.00
Kayakfest Price 699.00-1059.00

Werner & Lendal Paddles
New - 169.00 - 189.00
Kayakfest Price - 99.00

Snapdragon Sprayskirts
New - 90.00 - 110.00
Kayakfest Price - 60.00 - 70.00

 

Course Schedule

Schedule for the Free workshops offered on Saturday, Oct. 18th. Call or stop by to register.

On-Water Clinics
10:00 - Weird Strokes

10:00 - Improving Forward Stroke
11:00 - Advanced Maneuvers

11:00 - Comfort on Edge
12:00 - Improving Boat Control

12:00 - Edged Turns
1:00 - Improving Boat Control

1:00 - Improving Forward Stroke
2:00 - Sculling & Support

2:00 - Edged Turns
3:00 - Precision Paddling

3:00 - Strokes/Strategies for Wind
4:00 - Stroke Analysis (2 Clinics Offered)

Off-Water Clinics
10:00 - Sea Kayak Navigation
11:00 - Dryland Rolling
12:00 - Euro & Greenland Rolling Demonstration
1:00 - Sea Kayak Cooking
2:00 - Sea Kayak Trip Planning
3:00 - Make Your Own Contact Tow
4:00 - Cold Water Paddling